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3e Audio A7 [TPA3255 PFFB Stereo] Finished Amplifier - User Impressions | Owner's Thread

I think you can ask @3eaudio what do they say about comparison between their module vs finished amplifier, but any difference (if any) might not worth the additional expense, efforts and risks of DIYing using module.
probably just get the A7 amplifier only, and build a better PSU to use with it (if that's an option).
Yes, would like to hear from you about the differences @3eaudio. I noticed the parts quality is a step up, and also the SE is now included. Would a better power supply be benificial?
 
Moreover, a power amplifier without a knob would look better.
For me a power amplifier looks terrible if it has a volume knob. It somehow cheapens it. Obviously for a low cost stereo amp for desktop use I get it because the product is really a basic integrated amp, but for a serious performance mono amp it just looks silly.
I understand the economies of scales thing, but they could use the same chassis with the cut-out and put a simple blanking part in the hole with a logo in it, or something.
 
You have put these with some expensive neighboring gear....looking very nice.
The speakers included in the set are old User CP-6831 and... it plays very nicely, or at least the first impressions with A7Mono are very positive. Previously I had Fosi ZA3 (2 in mono configuration).
 
Moreover, a power amplifier without a knob would look better.
I guess 3e Audio is addressing a market where people want as many features as possible to play around with them. my opinion is that A7 Monos are budget amps but play in a league that has nothing to do with budget. In my case for example they are going to replace my Dartzeel NHB-108. since the rapid development of TPA32xx based amps took of I was expecting this to happen hence it came much earlier then expected...
 
If the Trigger function was retained (I understand it has been removed on production units) then it would be no issue as I could just provide the necessary 12 volts to keep it switched on.

In our use case the amplifier is basically used just as a power amplifier at the end of the chain Although I have not tested a production system, I am concerned that the auto switch on is not fast enough to stop you missing the first part of any sound coming through the system as reported by some of the early reviews. The system we use also provides alarms and announcements so we cannot afford to lose these.

I have previously used a DAP1002 which would also turn off when the music stopped. In order to start again it was necessary to manually turn the system back on again which became an issue and hence the amplifier had to be replaced in this specific application.

I am all in favour of having physical switches (not part of volume control) for input selection and power On / Off functions. Maybe a good solution would be a three way power switch - Off / Auto / On and a two way input selection switch. Please consider introducing real physical switches for these functions.

By retaining a three way switch for power Off / Auto / On you would still be able to allow for situations where no-used channels would be powered down automatically to save on power consumption and optimise the thermal performance.

Have loved your previous products and I really want to see this new product range become a great success for 3e-Audio. I am still looking forward to getting an A7.
+1.

After initially getting A7, I replaced Topping PA7 with it for full time listening.
No matter what someone says, there is always some unconscious bias if you get a product after seeing the measurements which was the case with me for my Topping PA7 but it is also true that I always go back to it after testing anything new sooner or later.
I used PA7 always carefully, but this A7 I used in every way I could..... low volume listening to running it to party on 31st, cheap Infinity bookshelf and Ascend Sierra-lx to my friends expensive Focal and Revel.....
A7 didn't disappoint and therefore its totally reasonable to look at some things we I feel missing.
However, like yourself, I would also say a few things could improve user experience and most or all would match with yours. @3eaudio
- ON/OFF/Auto toggle switch than using potentiometer..... it feels more reliable and would have solved all those used cases a few members have mentioned about auto off timer thingy, and might improve life of potentiometer itself as well
- RCA/XLR Input Selection toggle switch than using potentiometer..... same points as above
- Volume Control Potentiometer..... I know that it could add some channel imbalance up to certain low level but its also great convenience. While I would personally like it to be completely removed but bypass volume switch is solving the purpose already
- A little more spacing between Speaker Connectors..... For thicker cables with spades
- Slightly dimmer LEDs or option to lower down or turn off...... Helps when using it in dark environment (BTW the LEDs are not too sharp to annoy and working all right in dark)
- Nice logo or branding

If the next iteration is going to be the amplifier with internal power supply then may be some of these are worth consideration.

@3eaudio One thing which I would look for is higher frequency distortion (5KHz to 20KHz), may be this is inherent to the chip itself or something solvable with design improvement. You might have already looked at this and would be helpful if you can share your opinion and findings.
Some with design experience or knowledge on this please chime in as well.
 
I guess 3e Audio is addressing a market where people want as many features as possible to play around with them. my opinion is that A7 Monos are budget amps but play in a league that has nothing to do with budget. In my case for example they are going to replace my Dartzeel NHB-108. since the rapid development of TPA32xx based amps took of I was expecting this to happen hence it came much earlier then expected...
Wow, will it really replace your Dartzeel NHB-108? I have the same amp, and I find it the best sounding amp I have. Now I am really curious about the A7, I think I will pull the trigger to order :D
 
After brief listening on both the A5 and A7 and having purchased 20+ 3eAudio amp modules I noticed no difference at normal listening levels.
I have 30+ class D channels in use from Purifi, Hypex, Icepower, Pascal and Orchard Audio running on 30+ speakers at home. The speakers are all excellent and some are exceptional (using Raal ribbons and AMT tweeters etc.)
But I also never expected them to sound better than the discrete amp modules, I only hoped they wouldn't be worse.
I did run them for an hour and take a top of case temp measurement and the A7 was 5 or 6 degrees F warmer reaching 96..
 
Wow, will it really replace your Dartzeel NHB-108? I have the same amp, and I find it the best sounding amp I have. Now I am really curious about the A7, I think I will pull the trigger to order :D
do yourself a favour and get some A7 Monos. you will be surprised I believe. the authority how they handle my Wilsons Audios is simply astonishing.
yes, I've got some quite expensive gear but my getting more and more exited about what has been and is going to be developed now from the "opposite side of the food chain" if you allow me to say with all respect. some gifted engineers working hard with amazing results not only when it comes to amps but also DAC's, etc.. very good listening experience was never less expensive then today and I really appreciate that
 
For me a power amplifier looks terrible if it has a volume knob. It somehow cheapens it. Obviously for a low cost stereo amp for desktop use I get it because the product is really a basic integrated amp, but for a serious performance mono amp it just looks silly.
I understand the economies of scales thing, but they could use the same chassis with the cut-out and put a simple blanking part in the hole with a logo in it, or something.
It's true that 3e could have made these 'sleeker' and more upmarket looking without the volume control, but funnily it's this rather unique feature that makes me tempted by these A7 Monos! I sometimes find old fashioned balance control useful, but I definitely like the bypass. I am sure there are other use cases.

I wish they would give without power supply purchase option.
 
Folks, my A5 is switching off automagically when I listen at night. Wiim Ultra volume level is at 10, and this is already triggering the auto-off mechanism. :/

A bit disappointing, TBH.
 
Folks, my A5 is switching off automagically when I listen at night. Wiim Ultra volume level is at 10, and this is already triggering the auto-off mechanism. :/

A bit disappointing, TBH.
That sounds like a fault. If you can measure with a db meter you should raise this with 3e .... should only switch off with no signal at all.

If this was happening generally everyone would be complaining.
 
Folks, my A5 is switching off automagically when I listen at night. Wiim Ultra volume level is at 10, and this is already triggering the auto-off mechanism. :/

A bit disappointing, TBH.
Does it wake up when you increase the volume level on Wiim?

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Does it wake up when you increase the volume level on Wiim?
Yep, when I go to 15, it switches on. At 13, it keeps going but is too loud. Then at 10-11, it triggers the contraption to turn off.
 
That sounds like a fault. If you can measure with a db meter you should raise this with 3e .... should only switch off with no signal at all.

If this was happening generally everyone would be complaining.
From my own testing this is not a fault. @Piotr is right.

This will depend on the sensitivity of the speakers and listening distance, but with volume on my WiiM Ultra set to 11 it won't stay awake reliably (also depending on source signal, of course). It's not a problem for me. I won't ever listen at such a low volume. But for night time listening in a desktop environment the input sensitivity can be just too low.

i remember one other people mentioned he did listen in very very very low volume(like raining),i would say, isn't turn up a little bit higher will a real problem?
As above. For real listening to music there's usually no problem, but with very sensitive speakers or very low volume listening or certain types of gaming or desktop use I would like to see the sensitivity raised to 1 mV (RCA) instead of 2 mV.

You mentioned that changing the sensitivity could be done by changing resistor values ...
 
Yep, when I go to 15, it switches on. At 13, it keeps going but is too loud. Then at 10-11, it triggers the contraption to turn off.
I have A7 connected with Fosi ZD3, volume bypass on A7 a d Fosi ZD3 volume set around 25 for very low level calm music running all day but it didn’t power off.
Don’t know if it’s as low as yours but worth testing, I am going to run it with super low vol 10 on DAC to see what happens.
 
I have A7 connected with Fosi ZD3, volume bypass on A7 a d Fosi ZD3 volume set around 25 for very low level calm music running all day but it didn’t power off.
Don’t know if it’s as low as yours but worth testing, I am going to run it with super low vol 10 on DAC to see what happens.
Just started, let’s wait for 5 min.

IMG_3140.jpeg
 
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